Helena Kraljič’s picture book Scary Charles, illustrated by Tina Dobrajc, is…scary? But is it so scary that it cannot be read as a good night story? Who is this Charles and why does he believe he is scary, possibly the scariest animal in the world? There is absolutely nothing scary in the illustration, which shows him swimming calmly on the water, his head supported by a log – he looks like a happy, purring cat!
　　The animal fairy tale reflects the traits we all share, for every one of us sometimes wants to be something we are not. Do we find the world of pretence more exciting? Is it because this is expected of us? What rule forces us to be scarier, wilder, more aggressive and violent than we want to be? The answers to all of this can be found at the end of the story, and I hope that every Charles out there remembers the following: it truly isn’t so ‘bad if you are not terrifying, scary and frightening’.

Helena Kraljič:
　　A famous Slovenian writer. She completed her studies in economics. For several years she worked as a program coordinator on radio stations, a real estate agent, as an accountant, an auditor... She translated many books. She has had her own company since 2005. Her books have been published by many publishers in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Brazil, China, Korea, Portugal, Belgium, Ukraine, Russia, Malaysia, Romania, Poland, Slovakia...
　　Helena is active in the publishing industry and is a member of the board of directors: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Chamber of Book Publishers and Booksellers, Slovenian Publishers Association, International Association of Writers, Poets and Publicists.
　　Helena's works have won many awards,such as:
　　- In 2008 and 2019, award for The Best of Picture book Award;
　　- In 2009, award for the best ecological picture book;
　　- In 2010 and 2012, nominated for the best ecological picture book;
　　- In 2012, award for Golden Egg and Original Slovenian Picture Book;
　　- In 2013, award for Original Italy Picture Book;
　　- In 2016, 2017 and 2019, nominated for the Kristina Brenkova Award.